We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 204

“…Haven’t we met before?”

It seemed like she vaguely remembered me.

“It’s me, Melissa. How have you been, Lorena?”

“Oh, it really is you!”

After checking if there were any people nearby, we briefly started talking.

“I was so disappointed that we couldn’t meet after that. I haven’t heard much—just a brief mention from the Marquis that you gave birth… how have you been?”

“Well… um, I’ve been managing alright.”

A lot had happened during that time, but I didn’t want to talk about it. Instead, she had a lot of questions for me. I answered as much as I could and then got to the point.

“Actually, I left the Duchy a while ago. So, Lorena…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Do you like living here?”

“…”

“I don’t mean anything by it. I was just wondering if you’d consider moving to a place where other Omegas live. I’ve actually come to meet you as a representative from there.”

“Is there really a place for only Omegas to live?”

“Yes, and I can take you there anytime if you’d like.”

“Ah…”

Lorena seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then, with her usual innocent expression, she shook her head.

“It’s a tempting offer, but… I can’t leave here.”

“…Did you imprint?”

I asked with concern, but Lorena looked surprised for a moment, then smiled gently and shook her head again.

“No, I haven’t. I love the Marquis very much. And I also want to watch the child grow up.”

“…I see.”

“Others might think it’s pathetic, but I’m happy with things as they are. Honestly, I don’t mind that the Marchioness handles everything. She takes care of all the management.”

That was quite an unexpected perspective. Her viewpoint, from a perspective I’d never considered, was shocking to me.

As I was feeling flustered and unable to say anything, Lorena added,

“Sometimes she does harass me a little, but I think the Beta will eventually understand that they can’t separate an Alpha and Omega.”

I began to wonder if the person who had underestimated Lorena all along wasn’t the Marchioness, but me. Knowing Liliana’s personality and recalling the mistreatment I had experienced, perhaps I had unfairly sympathized with Lorena, thinking she too had suffered the same. But she didn’t seem to care about it at all.

I found it hard to agree with her words, but at the same time, I understood. Maybe it wasn’t just Omegas like us who suffered, but also Betas who, caught in the middle without knowing anything, had their own struggles.

“…I understand what you’re saying.”

Unable to find anything else to say due to the unexpected shock, I prepared to leave and say goodbye, but Lorena spoke up again, cautiously.

“Did you hear about this?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“I overheard some of the staff talking in the garden earlier. I was told that Duke Bryant is seriously injured…”

“…Ian is hurt?”

“I don’t know the details, but I heard that he and Lady Rosewood were traveling together when there was a carriage accident. I was told that both of them are in critical condition.”

“….”

It was hard to accept what Lorena was saying. The person who had tried to harm me was Monica, so why would Ian be traveling with her? And a carriage accident, no less.

My thoughts, which had been flowing smoothly, suddenly halted. Then, I remembered what Ian had said.

‘…If I suffer as much as you do and reflect on it, will you give me a chance?’

If he really meant what he said, what state was he in now?

“Melissa, are you okay? Your face is completely pale.”

“Ah…”

I wiped my face at her concern. Lorena, unable to hide her guilt, spoke again.

“…After I met you, I was curious and asked the Marquis about you often. When I heard you left the Duchy, I thought it was amazing. I had only thought of staying here. So I assumed for you, that the Alpha Duke wasn’t relevant anymore. I didn’t expect you to be so surprised. I’m sorry, Melissa.”

“No, it’s okay…”

I was surprised, but like Lorena said, I didn’t think it was that serious. However, I couldn’t just stay still when I was worried about Diers.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll go now. I apologize for showing up suddenly.”

“Melissa.”

“Yes?”

“…Would you come back? I’m curious about how the other Omegas are doing. It doesn’t have to be often, but when you have time, please visit.”

Even if Lorena loved the Marquis and stayed, I doubted loneliness could be eased. I took Lorena’s hand as I spoke.

“Yes, I’ll do that. And if you ever change your mind, please let me know. That place will always be open for Omegas.”

“Thank you so much, even for just saying that, Melissa.”

After saying goodbye to her, I immediately used teleportation to reach the Duchy. When I arrived at Diers’s room, I was momentarily startled to find that the child wasn’t in the room. I had always come to see Diers at night, so naturally, the child wasn’t there during the day.

But I still wanted to see Diers’s face. No, more accurately, I was curious about Ian’s condition. What exactly was he trying to do?

I was debating whether to leave or stay when suddenly the door slammed open.

“Come in, Grandpa!”

“Haha, you rascal. It’s nap time, you know.”

As Diers and the former Duke entered, they froze when they saw me.

“Mom!”

The child, who had been in his grandfather’s arms, immediately jumped down and ran towards me. The sight of Diers hopping towards me made me realize how much the child had grown in such a short time.